Thistlecrack out of Gold Cup again after injury setback
Season halted as scan reveals stress fracture Might Bite now 3-1 to win Festival showpiece
Thistlecrack, the 2016 King George winner, has been ruled out of Cheltenham’s Timico Gold Cup for the second year in succession after sustaining a stress fracture to the top of his tibia having returned home stiff after this season’s Boxing Day outing.
Last year, after suffering his first defeat over fences in the Cotswold Chase, he was ruled out of Cheltenham with a minor tendon strain.
After lengthy rest he returned in December for the Long Distance Hurdle, where he needed the race but he improved markedly to run a creditable fourth behind Might Bite in the King George and, to be honest, looked the horse to take from the race. However, his season has ground to a premature halt again after a bone scan revealed the latest damage. Kim Tizzard, Colin’s daughter, told At The Races: “He was a little bit stiff behind after the King George. He’s had his X-rays and bone scans – it’s gutting.
“He ran a screamer. He jumped really well and we were getting excited that the old Thistlecrack was still there.
“Hopefully he’ll have his box rest and be back for next season. We’re gutted for the team, the owners, everyone but, at the end of the day, we still have a horse.”
Suitable contenders for the Gold Cup are looking a little thin on the ground at the moment, although it is not unusual for recent Gold Cup winners to have still been under the radar 10 weeks before the race.
This time last year, Sizing John had just been on the receiving end of another hiding from Douvan and not yet stepped up to three miles. Three years ago, Coneygree was still just a novice with two chases under his belt.
The Gold Cup market was adjusted accordingly, with Ladbrokes trimming Might Bite to 3-1. Sizing John, who ran a stinker at Christmas, is 6-1, Our Duke and Native River, neither of whom have run this season, are 10-1, along with Road To Respect.
You can pretty much name your own price for the rest.